Prediction: Manchester United vs Aston Villa

Verdict: Aston Villa draw no bet

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to make another Premier League statement on Boxing Day, Aston Villa will travel to Old Trafford when they meet Manchester United.

Manchester United

Starting with the hosts, crashing out of the Champions League earlier in the month, it is no secret that Manchester United are enduring a public crisis. Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny and with the pressure on Erik ten Hag’s shoulders reaching a boiling point, the ex-Ajax boss will be bracing himself for another stern examination here. Last seen over the weekend putting in another toothless display as they slumped to a 2-0 loss at the hands of West Ham, the Red Devils have recorded just a single win from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. Needing a minor miracle in their bid to punch another top-four finish, ten Hag will also have a mounting headache over his side’s extended issues in the final third. Failing to find the net in any of their last four outings, Manchester United have come tumbling down the table. Likewise, losing back-to-back showdowns at Old Trafford by an aggregate score of 4-0, the Boxing Day hosts are desperate to claim some kind of festive boost.

Team News

Manchester United will once again be without the likes of Casmeiro, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Mason Mount on Boxing Day. However, ten Hag’s side are hopeful that former Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane will be able to make a full return on Tuesday night.

Once again forced to settle for a spot on the bench during United’s 2-0 loss away at West Ham over the weekend, England international Marcus Rashford will be hoping to make a first start since December 2nd. The 26-year-old could replace summer recruit Rasmus Hojlund in the final third.

Aston Villa

As for the visitors, while Aston Villa might have been disappointed after settling for a 1-1 stalemate against Sheffield United over the weekend, Unai Emery’s men are in the midst of a famous Premier League romp. Remarkably opening their Boxing Day trip to Old Trafford sat just a single point adrift of climbing to the top of the table, the former Arsenal boss will be calling on his high-flying squad to make another statement here. Gaining a string of plaudits from across the continent and also tipped as a leading Europa Conference League contender in the New Year, Tuesday’s guests have lost just one of their previous 17 appearances across all competitions. With that remarkable flurry stemming all the way back to September 27th, Emery’s men have also collected some heavyweight scalps. Appearing to be sat in the driving seat to claim an iconic top-four finish, Aston Villa will certainly be smelling the chance to cash in on a Manchester United squad who are enduring another public crisis.

Team News

Still dealing with respective long-term knee injuries, Aston Villa will once again be without the duo of Emi Buendi and Tyronne Mings. Likewise, shown a red card during a frantic 2-1 victory against Brentford on December 17th, France international Boubacar Kamara is still unavailable through suspension.

Already bagging nine Premier League strikes this season, England international Ollie Watkins will spearhead Emery’s charge at Old Trafford. Forming what has been a prolific partnership in the final third, Leon Bailey will partner Watkins in attack.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Manchester United and Aston Villa last met back on April 30th, ten Hag’s side collected a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.
• However, the Boxing Day hosts have won just one of their previous seven appearances across all formats.
• Likewise, Manchester United have failed to find the net in any of their last four straight outings.
• Aston Villa have suffered just a single defeat in any of their last 17 straight showdowns across all competitions.
• England international Ollie Watkins has bagged nine Premier League goals so far this season.

Conclusion

While Aston Villa might have been frustrated after only snatching a 1-1 draw against Sheffield United over the weekend, Emery’s men will be smelling the chance to make a heavyweight statement here. Losing just one of their previous 17 straight appearances across all fronts, the Boxing Day guests will be looking to cash in on a Manchester United squad that have continued to show a host of glaring issues. Along with recording just a single win from any of their previous seven showdowns, Tuesday’s hosts have also failed to find the net in almost 400 minutes of action.

Verdict: Aston Villa draw no bet

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Olympusbet